Paslew kissed the token, and his suspicions were at rest. But still,
there was a dubiety and hesitation in his manner displeasing to the
stranger. He would bind himself to no distinct pledge respecting the
time of his appearance at the rebel camp; and altogether seemed to
display either cowardice or a want of cordiality. His guest refusing to
stay the night, on a pretext of urgent business farther north, departed
soon after the termination of their interview.
The night was fast closing when the strangers left the abbey. One by one
the pale stars seemed to start out, as if just lighted up in the blue
vault. The dark woods threw their giant arms around the sacred domain,
as though to guard it against unhallowed intrusion. The travellers had
gained the steep ascent towards the south-east, from whence the river,
winding down the narrow valley, seemed as if here and there a spark was
floating on its quiet surface--the lights, gliding on the opposite
brink, fell distinct and unbroken upon the stream. The soft voice of the
current grew strangely audible, in contrast with the deep silence; the
wind rolling it round to the ear at intervals startling and abrupt.
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